Do You Have The 12 Signs Of A Great Boss?

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by Jill Geisler

Flickr Photo by Tony the Misfit

In all the years I’ve been teaching and coaching managers, I’ve yet to meet one who wakes up each morning, thinking, “How can I make someone’s life hell today?” Most bosses really want to do right by their people, knowing it’s not always easy to juggle business objectives, constant change, and individual employee needs and goals.

So, how do you know you’ve succeeded in that juggling act? And how do you know you’re not just a good boss, but a great one? I’ve written extensively about the topic, even offered a hundred helpful hints in recent columns and podcasts for the Poynter Institute, where I teach.

My advice is informed by the thousands of 360-degree feedback reports I’ve read about managers. Time and again, the same themes emerge. While there are no perfect bosses, there are things that the best do differently. For starters, they know that people are required to follow managers, but they choose to follow leaders. They work diligently to inspire people to make that choice.

Here’s a look at some sure-fire signs that your employees would rank you among the best bosses they’ve worked for; a dozen symptoms of healthy leadership:

12 Signs of a Great Boss

You get genuine pleasure from helping others do their best work; you measure your own success by theirs.

You don’t treat everyone the same. You know your people well enough to manage them as individuals.

You understand that your title gives you power, but intelligence and integrity give you influence, which is invaluable.

Your feedback is specific, sincere and constructive. People know where they stand with you.

More than a few people on your team have saved notes of praise you’ve sent them. Your words carry that much impact.

Your constructive response to mistakes and problems leads people to feel they can safely bring you bad news, when necessary.

You communicate your plans and goals clearly, and people understand their roles and responsibilities as members of your team.

You hire people smarter than you are and aren’t intimidated by their knowledge. You can look out your office door and see your replacement.

Your staff members feel ownership of ideas and initiatives, even those you originate, because you share power and control.

You know the occasions when only a top-down decision will do: times of crisis, high risk or high conflict. And your staff appreciates it.

Your employees know what you stand for and are proud to stand with you.

Did I just describe you? I hope so. There’s a way to verify your identity as a great boss – or one who’s on the road to greatness. Share the list with some staff members, especially your highest performers. Tell them your goal is to hit twelve out of twelve. Ask if they have any suggestions for you. Then do one other thing that’s the mark of a great boss: Listen.